My horse Dreamer's Back was out. I know for awhile she was sore and in a little pain when I got her. She has seen they Chiropractor twice now. Her back has improved and she has improved so much. She is truely and amazing girl but now I've noticed she appears to be almost fearful when I go to get on her. When I manage to get on her she seems to shake a little almost like she's waiting for it to hurt. She doesnt buck or crow hop or anything like that she picks up one of her rear legs and holds it then kinda cow kicks they then just refuses to move or do anything I ask. If im on the ground she will do everything I ask its just when im on her in the saddle she seems to not know anything, but I know she does.

How can I make her realize she is doing better. How can I help her. How can I make her realize the pain is going away and that im doing everything I can to help her.

Any ideas of what I can do would be awesome I feel like im running out of ideas. And I want more then anything to help her.

Have you checked the saddle? Maybe the saddle is still causing the pain? If its not the saddle, have you tried lunging her with the saddle on? It will get her use to the saddle being on her back and let her know that it's not going to hurt. Once she is confident lunging with the saddle, practice mounting and dismounting. Make sure you use lots of praise when she is good. The move up to leading someone around while sitting in the saddle, just at a walk. My friends horse went through the same thing and this seemed to help him, good luck :)

I would question that she IS better. I mean, usually horse's don't lie about their physical state. Yes, sometimes they can be anxious about remembered pain, and this is possible, but my first assumption would be that the pain is not gone.

The saddle fit is also something to verify. Would there by chance be any kind of problem like kissing spine, where it's only evident when a rider is on board?

I know she is getting better. Because she would never walk quickly, trot. Every step she took was out of caution for her self. She was so careful. She hardly rolled even after getting a bath because most horses I have given baths usually roll after a bath unless tied up or stalled.

I know its not over I know there is still work to be done. But she has proven to me she is feeling better.

She has rolled. She is trotting up to me and my sister when we go out to feed our horses. Her attitude had changed she is relaxing. Before she was pushy and didnt want you to do any thing that was asked of her it was an act of god to get her to back and to atleast do simple light work.

Now she backs up still with difficulty and is willing to canter in the round pen.

I'm sorry, but if this horse was that sore, I don't see why you are asking anything of her period.

And just because she is trotting up, cantering and rolling does not mean kissing spine, arthritis, bone chips or any myriad assortment of things could not be wrong.

Conversely? She could just be pulling one over on you too.

I this is the First horse I have ever OWNED. Before that I would ride other peoples horses and do simple clean up and work.

I didnt know she was having issues when I was asking her to do things I thought she was just stubborn. But when I had the vet out to float her teeth I asked his oppinon he said try the chiropractor because she look out and hurting. I had NO idea before that.

And secondly I never said she had kissing spine or any of those other things I just know her back was out and she has seen a Chiropractor twice to get it adjusted! Im taking into consideration what I have seen before the chiro and after how she acts.

I am learning a ton about being a horse owner there are still things I don't know. That's part of the reason I came to the horse forums is to learn and seek advise.

Im not trying to be rude I just feel you may have misread some of the content.

I think everyone here has given you excellent advice.
My guess is that she is feeling better but that doesn't neccessarily translate
Into "all better." Activity on her own, sans rider is one thing, adding saddle and rider is another. It could be the saddle fit, it may be hitting/pinching in the very place her back was injured. It could also be the rider's weight and or balance--I do not mean to crack at your riding--what I mean is that even the slightest issue on a sore spot can feel like a huge problem when your'e in pain.
Do you know what caused her back issues in the first place?

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